BA2754/24: Nishioka Emporium in Cossack circa 1899. Far left is Yasukichi Murakami, woman is Eki Nishioka. The other two are unknown, however the man sitting may be Takazo Nishioka, Eki Nishioka's husband and Murakami's employer. Yasukichi Murakami later

Summary

The bulk of the photographs were taken by Yasukichi Murakami, however some were taken by Y. Nishioka (Eki), who became his first wife. The collection includes images of the pearling industry; the diving suit Yasukichi Murakami designed; family life; and social events in Broome in the early 1900s. This collection of images captures scenes of the northwest of WA at the turn of last century but has broader, national significance in telling the often overlooked story of Japanese and Australian relations in the lead up to World War II.